Messi's PSG legacy... and what's next?
Some brilliance, some boos, but no Champions League glory for Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.
After two eventful seasons on and off the pitch, Lionel Messi's time with Paris Saint-Germain seems set to end on Saturday.
Following months of speculation linking Messi with a move to Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami or even an emotional return to Barcelona, PSG coach Christophe Galtier seemingly confirmed the Barcelona great's departure in a pre-match news conference ahead of their final match of the Ligue 1 season, against Clermont.
Looking ahead to Messi's Parc des Princes farewell, Galtier said: “I hope he'll be welcomed in the best possible way.”
That comment said much about Messi's time in the French capital.
Despite recording 66 goal contributions in 75 games for PSG and helping them win back-to-back league titles, Messi's time in the French capital will not be remembered as fondly as many expected.
As a stint punctured by Champions League shortcomings and rifts with supporters comes to an end, More Than A Game looks at the legacy Messi leaves in Paris, and what's next for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner
Messi-Neymar-Mbappe doesn't live up to the hype
Messi's move to PSG – one necessitated by Barcelona's inability to fund a new contract for him in 2021 – was supposed to herald a glorious new era.
Just as Barca's 2014-15 Champions League winners had Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, PSG now had their own star-studded forward trio, swapping out Suarez for Kylian Mbappe.
But neither Galtier nor his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino could build a balanced side around these superstars.
PSG could thrill in attack, but among all 32 teams in the 2021-22 Champions League proper, only six allowed opponents to create more than their 13.9 xGA in eight games (Opta data via fbref.com).
When PSG found themselves 2-0 up in their last-16 tie with eventual winners Real Madrid, a collective collapse ensued, Karim Benzema's hat-trick deciding a typically chaotic second leg.
Even the pragmatic Galtier couldn't perfect the formula. PSG failed to land a blow in their meek last-16 exit to Bayern Munich this season, leading to Messi and others being jeered by supporters in subsequent fixtures.
Messi's arrival was meant to complete PSG's dream frontline, but his presence at times only accentuated their shortcomings.
Saudi trip the final straw
Until recently, Messi's application appeared beyond reproach, his singling out by fans purely the product of dissatisfaction with the club's Galactico-focused recruitment.
That all changed in May, however, when PSG suspended Messi for two weeks, having been blindsided and humiliated by him skipping training for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia – where he holds a tourism ambassador role. Saudi Arabia also has a fractious relationship with Qatar, the Gulf state that owns PSG.
Messi subsequently apologised and said he was unaware a day off had been cancelled following PSG's 3-1 defeat to Lorient, but the fanbase has not been forgiving.
Protests outside the club's headquarters saw calls for Messi, Neymar and chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi to depart, and ultras subsequently pledged to boycott PSG's games.
In that context, the response to PSG's record 11th Ligue 1 title triumph has been muted, with Messi receiving more jeers when he returned from his suspension in a 5-0 rout of AC Ajaccio.
The prospect of Messi getting a similar reception on his final Ligue 1 outing would be a sad indictment of his time in Paris.
What's next?
As was the case after Cristiano Ronaldo's messy divorce from Manchester United last year, options appear to be thin on the ground for Messi.
Few of Europe's elite have the funds and the desire to pay a mammoth salary to a player who turns 36 in June – even one who cemented his place in history with his World Cup heroics last year.
Three potential suitors for Messi have emerged, one more romantic – if less realistic – than the others.
Barcelona boss Xavi outlined his desire to bring Messi back to Camp Nou earlier this week, declaring: "We're going to talk to him".
Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has also hinted at a move, but Barca's financial issues make a speedy resolution unlikely, and Messi may not be keen on waiting for the club to make him an offer – as they failed to do in 2021.
More Than A Game understands Messi reached a pre-contract agreement with David Beckham's Inter Miami in 2022.
Reports from Spain, meanwhile, have claimed Miami would even be open to a three-way deal that would see the 35-year-old head back to Barca on loan as part of his contract with the Herons.
The Argentine's links with Miami, where he has a home, make it his most likely stateside destination, but the MLS team cannot match the financial rewards on offer in Saudi Arabia.
Al Hilal have reportedly made a €400million-per-year offer to Messi, while there is now speculation that the Pro League club have even decided that Tuesday will be when they announce Messi's arrival.
One last dance with Ronaldo looks like a real possibility.
By Harry Carr
Let us know what you think of Messi's time at PSG, and where he'll end up next.